Infant feeding bottle

ABSTRACT

A self-contained infant formula package comprising a bottle having affixed thereto a nipple and insert subassembly, the insert forming a fluid barrier isolating the nipple from the formula during storage. The package is sealed with an overlying cap which holds the nipple in depressed stored position and is easily torn away causing the nipple to automatically assume an erect feeding position.

. HN FANT hElEDHNG BQTTLE This application is a continuation-in-part of my copending application Ser. No. 686,856 entitled Feeding Bottle Combination filed Nov. 30, 1967; now issued as US. Pat. No. 3,477,603.

This invention is directed to self-contained infant feeding bottles and is particularly concerned with an improved closure construction for such bottles.

Une application of the ready-to-use infant feeding package concept embodies a glass bottle formed with a bead surrounding the mouth thereof, adapted to lockingly retain a rubber feeding nipple and plastic insert subassembly. The insert forms an effective fluid barrier isolating the nipple from the formula during storage, the nipple and insert acting together as a valve permitting the passage of formula during feeding. The bottle finish is further provided with an additional locking shoulder for reception of a lightweight metal cap which completely seals off the neck of the bottle and retains the nipple in depressed position within the cup-shaped insert housed in the neck of the bottle. The hand-removable cap is easily torn away opening the valve and allowing the nipple to assume an erect feeding position.

Proper sealing engagement between the overlying cap and the bottle neck has heretofore been difficult to attain. This has been primarily due to the inherent resiliency of the nipple and insert subassembly which, particularly during shipment and storage, has caused relative axial movement between the cap skirt and the underlying bottle finish creating a potential leakage path. The infant feeding bottle herein disclosed assures against the possibility of such leakage through the provision of a positive interlocking engagement between the cap skirt and the bottle finish. This engagement is formed in such a manner as to prevent the lower edge of the cap skirt from moving either upwardly or downwardly along the bottle neck in response to vertical load variations on the cap top.

Another important requirement in the proper functioning of the above-described infant formula package is that the nipple spring up to erect feeding position without hesitation upon removal of the overlying cap. Failure of this essential function, necessitating handling of the nipple and consequent loss of sterility, in effect, destroys the utility of the package. The instant invention also advantageously provides for the immediate springing up of the nipple without fail upon'removal of the overlying cap.

It is accordingly a principal object of this invention to provide an improved self-contained infant feeding bottle.

A further object is to improve the sealing of such bottles by locking the depending skirt of an overlying cap onto the bottle finish in such a manner as to prevent vertical movement therebetween.

Another object is to provide a feeding bottle closure construction that assures springing up of the nipple to erect feeding position upon tearing away of an overlying cap.

Other and more detailed objects will in part by obvious and in part pointed out as the description of the invention taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawing proceeds.

in that drawing:

H6. 1 is a vertical section of the infant feeding bottle in accordance with the invention; v

H6. 2 is a top plan view of the feeding bottle with portions of the cap and nipple broken away for clarity;

FIG. 3 is a view, similar to FIG. 1 but with the cap removed and showing the action of the nipple as it assumes erect feeding position;

FIG. 4 is an elevational view of the feeding bottle closure assembly with parts broken away for clarity;

FIG. 5 is a fragmentary top plan view of the fluid barrier insert; and

W6. 6 is a view, similar to FlG. 1, showing a modified form of insert.

A sterile sealed self-contained infant feeding bottle is shown in ilG'S. l and 2 comprising a glass bottle 1 having an upstanding neck 2 terminating in an upwardly directed dispensing opening. The glass finish surrounding the upper end of the neck 2 is formed with a bead having a flat top surface 3, a radially outwardly and downwardly extending surface and a downwardly facing undercut surface 5. The exterior neck finish then extends vertically for a short distance, forming a cylindrical portion 6. A locking shoulder having a radially outwardly and downwardly inclined surface 7 extends from the lower end of the cylindrical portion 6 to a point radially outwardly of the surface 4. The locking shoulder then continues vertically below the inclined surface 7 as indicated at numeral 8 and is provided with a radially inwardly formed annular groove 9 having an upper wall it) and a lower wall 1 l.

A cup-shaped insert member 20, molded of synthetic plastic material, is snapped onto the bottle finish and is seen to comprise a flat bottom wall 2l'surrounded by an upwardly and radially outwardly extending sidewall 22. Four integrally formed radial webs 23 are equally spaced about the exterior surface of the sidewall 22 to assist in locating the insert within the neck opening. A single radial web 24 is formed on the insert interior joining the sidewall 22 to the base 21 having an inclined edge surface 25 facing radially upwardly. An annular sealing lip 26 extends radially outwardly from the upper end of the sidewall 22 and is formed about its periphery with a series of fingers 27 extending radially outwardly then downwardly. The fingers 27 terminate at their lower ends in an acute angled corner 28 from which a pair of teeth 29 extend radially inwardly.

A rubber feeding nipple 30 is attached to the insert 20 and is formed with a rounded end portion 31 suitably apertured at 32 to allow the passage of liquid therethrough. A radially inwardly extending locking flange 33 is formed at the base of the nipple for engagement with the insert finger teeth 29. A resilient retaining lip 34 surrounds the nipple 30 at a position spaced above the flange 33.

The infant feeding bottle so far as described is sealed with a lightweight metal cap d0 having a flat top panel 41 surrounded by a depending skirt 42. The skirt i2 joins the top panel 41 in a gradually radiused portion 43 and terminates in a lowermost free edge 44. A tear strip 45 is formed in the cap 40 defined by a pair of weakened score lines 46 which extend up across the cap skirt in substantially parallel relationship and then diverge outwardly away from each other in their extent across the cap top. The tear strip 45 commences at the skirt free edge 44 in a pull member 47 which extends away from the cap skirt and terminates in a ring for reception of a person's finger.

As seen in FIG. 4 the insert 20, nipple 30 and cap 40 are preassembled as a unit prior to the capping operation. The rubber nipple is pressed into a stored position within the insert wall 22 and the nipple insert subassembly is tightly retained within the cap 40 by the gripping action of the nipple lip 34 against the interior of the cap skirt. In FIG. 1 the closure assembly is applied to the bottle 1 with the insert teeth 29, partially confined by the nipple locking flange 33, snapped under the bead undercut surface 5. As the sealing operation commences a downwardly directed force is applied to the cap top panel 41 pressing the insert lip 26 in sealing engagement with the neck top surface 3. At the same time the insert teeth 29 move downwardly away from the neck undercut surface 5 compressing the nipple-locking flange 33 against the downwardly inclined surface 7. The lower portion of the cap skirt is then formed radially inwardly into tight engagement with the neck finish groove 9 resulting in a channel-shaped configuration 48 having an upper wall 49 extending radially inwardly and downwardly with respect to the undeformed portion of the skirt 42 and a lower wall 50 extending radially outwardly and downwardly terminating in the free edge 44. The interlocking engagement of the skirt channel 58 within the neck groove 9 remains effective despite vertical load varia tions on the cap top panel. Due to the resilient nature of the nipple and insert components interposed between the cap and the rigid bottle finish there is a tendency toward axial displacement between the cap skirt and the underlying neck which, unless checked, destroys the sterile seal. In the disclosed construction upward movement of the cap skirt is prevented by the skirt channel upper wall 49 bearing against the neck groove upper wall while downward skirt movement is prevented by the skirt channel lower wall 50 bearing against the neck groove lower wall 11. Accordingly vertical movement of the cap skirt along the bottle neck in either direction is prevented and load variations on the cap top panel causing a flexing of the underlying nipple and insert members. are rendered harmless.

All that is needed to prepare the feeding bottle for use is to pull out and up on the ring 47 separating the tear strip 45 from the cap top panel 41 along the score lines 46 and effecting complete removal of the cap from the bottle at the end of the tearing in one single continuous motion. Upon removal of the cap 40, the rubber nipple 30, due to its inherent resiliency; automatically springs up to an upright feeding position as shown in dot-dash lines in FIG. 3. If the nipple fails to spring up instantaneously upon removal of the cap necessitating touching of the nipple for assistance, the sterile condition of the nipple is lost and the utility of the package is seriously impaired if not completely destroyed. Failure of the nipple to spring up upon release of the cap has heretofore been found to occur in certain instances due to the tendency of the nipple to assume a fixed position when pushed down to a perfectly concentric stored position. In other words, a point of equilibrium is reached between the forces tending to raise the nipple to upright position and the forces trying to turn the nipple inside out. The web 24 is provided within theinsert to assure the proper functioning of the nipple in this respect. As seen in FlG. 1 and 2 the nipple, in stored position, contacts the upwardly presented web surface 25 causing the nipple wall to fold over the web 24 and force the nipple end 31 to an off center position. Accordingly, as the cap is removed the nipple instantaneously springs up without fail and, although in doing so is momentarily cocked at an angle'as illustrated in FIG. 3, the proper upright feeding position is assured in every instance.

In assuming the upright feeding position the nipple flange 33 returns to its previous relaxed condition, lifting the insert teeth 29 into engagement with the undercut surface 5 and moving the insert lip 26 up off of the neck top surface 3 so that the liquid contents can flow through the insert between the fingers 27 and into the nipple 40. The insert teeth 29 and particularly the sharp corners 28 also serve the function of tightly retaining the nipple in place on the bottle despite the rigors of feeding. An air entrance port (not shown) is provided in the flange 33 to allow air to enter the bottle as the formula is withdrawn.

P16. 6 illustrates a modified form of the invention wherein the insert 20 is provided with fingers 27a which tightly embrace both the top surface 3 and the undercut surface 5 of the neck bead so that the insert lip 26 remains in engagement with the bottle even during feeding. An alternate valve arrangement is employed through the provision of an outlet port 22a in the sidewall 22 closed off by an overlying portion of the nipple wall indicated by numeral 35 which is drawn into the port 220 by the vacuum pressure created in the bottle during processing. As soon as the vacuum is relieved through removal of the cap, the outlet port 22a is opened allowing the fluid contents to enter the nipple.

Iclaim:

1. An infant feeding bottle comprising an upstanding neck terminating in an open end, a bead surrounding said open end,

a feeding nipple formed of soft resilient material secured on said bead, a locking shoulder on said neck below said bead protruding radially outwardly of said bead, said locking shoulder including an outwardly facing circumferential groove, a lightweight metal sealing cap in engagement with said locking shoulder, said cap including a top panel surrounded by a radiused juncture portion, a skirt depending from said juncture portion terminating in a lowermost free edge, a tear strip formed in said cap commencing in a tearing ear extending away from said free edge, said sealing cap over- 1 in said feedin ni le in asketin en a ement therewith, sziid cap skirt ha ving m eloigated ppe? c ylindrical section and a lower portion immediately below said cylindrical section formed with an outwardly facing channel-shaped configuration extending circumferentially adjacent the lower edge of said skirt and sealingly engaged within said locking shoulder groove for preventing upward and downward movement of said cap skirt relative to said neck in response to vertical load variations on said cap top panel.

2. An infant feeding bottle as in claim 1, said channelshaped configuration in said skirt lower portion comprising an upper wall for preventing upward skirt movement and a lower wall vertically spaced from said upper wall for preventing downward skirt movement.

3. An infant feeding bottle as in claim 1 and including an insert member overlying said neck open end within said nipple, said cap restraining said nipple in depressed stored position within said insert and means for urging said nipple to upright feeding position upon removal of said cap.

4. An infant feeding bottle as in claim 1, an insert member overlying said neck open end within said nipple in gripping engagement with said neck, said insert member providing a liquid barrier while said nipple is held in stored position and including fluid passage means operatively associated with said nipple for permitting the flow of liquid into said nipple upon removal of said cap.

5. An infant feeding bottle comprising an upstanding neck terminating in an open end, a bead surrounding said open end, a feeding nipple and insert member subassembly secured on said bead, a locking shoulder on said bead, a sealing cap having a top panel surrounded by a depending skirt in engagement with said locking shoulder, said sealing cap overlying said feeding nipple in gasketing engagement therewith and restraining said nipple in depressed generally concentric stored position within said insert and said insert including nipple-deforming means for interrupting said concentricity and cooperatively urging said nipple to upright feeding position upon removal of said cap.

6. An infant feeding bottle comprising an upstanding neck terminating in an open end, a bead surrounding said open end, a feeding nipple and insert member subassembly secured on said bead, a locking shoulder on said neck below said bead, a sealing cap having a top panel surrounded by a depending skirt in engagement with said locking shoulder, said sealing cap overlying said feeding nipple in gasketing engagement therewith and restraining said nipple in depressed stored position within said insert, said insert having a sidewall extending within said neck and terminating in a bottom wall, said nipple being tightly pressed within said sidewall by said cap in stored position and means projecting radially inwardly of said sidewall for cooperatively urging said nipple to upright feeding position upon removal of said cap. 

1. An infant feeding bottle comprising an upstanding neck terminating in an open end, a bead surrounding said open end, a feeding nipple formed of soft resilient material secured on said bead, a locking shoulder on said neck below said bead protruding radially outwardly of said bead, said locking shoulder including an outwardly facing circumferential groove, a lightweight metal sealing cap in engagement with said locking shoulder, said cap including a top panel surrounded by a radiused juncture portion, a skirt depending from said juncture portion terminating in a lowermost free edge, a tear strip formed in said cap commencing in a tearing ear extending away from said free edge, said sealing cap overlying said feeding nipple in gasketing engagement therewith, said cap skirt having an elongated upper cylindrical section and a lower portion immediately below said cylindrical section formed with an outwardly facing channel-shaped configuration extending circumferentially adjacent the lower edge of said skirt and sealingly engaged within said locking shoulder groove for preventing upward and downward movement of said cap skirt relative to said neck in response to vertical load variations on said cap top panel.
 2. An infant feeding bottle as in claim 1, said channel-shaped configuration in said skirt lower portion comprising an upper wall for preventing upward skirt movement and a lower wall vertically spaced from said upper wall for preventing downward skirt movement.
 3. An infant feeding bottle as in claim 1 and including an insert member overlying said neck open end within said nipple, said cap restraining said nipple in depressed stored position within said insert and means for urging said nipple to upright feeding position upon removal of said cap.
 4. An infant feeding bottle as in claim 1, an insert member overlying said neck open end within said nipple in gripping engagement with said neck, said insert member providing a liquid barrier while said nipple is held in stored position and including fluid passage means operatively associated with said nipple for permitting the flow of liquid into said nipple upon removal of said cap.
 5. An infant feeding bottle comprising an upstanding neck terminating in an open end, a bead surrounding said open end, a feeding nipple and insert member subassembly secured on said bead, a locking shoulder on said bead, a sealing cap having a top panel surrounded by a depending skirt in engagement with said locking shoulder, said sealing cap overlying said feeding nipple in gasketing engagement therewith and restraining said nipple in depressed generally concentric stored position within said insert and said insert including nipple-deforming means for interrupting said concentricity and cooperatively urging said nipple to upright feeding position upon removal of said cap.
 6. An infant feeding bottle comprising an upstanding neck terminating in an open end, a bead surrounding said open end, a feeding nipple and insert member subassembly secured on said bead, a locking shoulder on said neck below said bead, a sealing cap having a top panel surrounded by a depending skirt iN engagement with said locking shoulder, said sealing cap overlying said feeding nipple in gasketing engagement therewith and restraining said nipple in depressed stored position within said insert, said insert having a sidewall extending within said neck and terminating in a bottom wall, said nipple being tightly pressed within said sidewall by said cap in stored position and means projecting radially inwardly of said sidewall for cooperatively urging said nipple to upright feeding position upon removal of said cap. 